Putting 'Fuel Savers' to the Test

Oct 1, 2009

Everyone is concerned about saving fuel these days from consumers, environmental agencies and even The New York Times. Our resident automotive guru Mike Allen shared a bit of his wit and wisdom with the Times in an article this past Sunday, weighing in on an array of supposed "fuel saving" gadgets—everything from magnets to exhaust cutouts—that manufacturers claim will provide better fuel economy, thus keeping your wallet a little thicker. But as Mike recently discovered when conducting his own tests, products not only saved very little, but actually cost more in the long run. Read all of his test results here. Mike also performed additional tests for CNN—the segment aired Monday.

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Mike also took some time to share his test results on the Popular Mechanics Show (podcast), which you can listen to here. Check it out, and try not to get fooled by manufacturers' ploys. As Mike reminds, the best way to save gas right now may simply be staying off the road.

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